Quote: Jenni Williams

Get the dog you want; there are no guarantees. I'm with you on the males...I love my boys!

I've gotten so many different reactions from people I've asked about this subject (outside the board) - but this one might be my favorite You only live once...

Now, Widget is the Chi, right?? How funny that HE'S the one with the most pent up rage!! I can just picture him latched onto the face of your 90lb shepherd - Poor Caleb!!

Thanks so much for your comments Jenni. I'm no where near as experienced and in command as you, so what works for you might actually fail for me, and the general population for that matter (that's actually a compliment ) You also don't mind keeping all your dogs separated when you're not there to supervise, and this is something I'd actually like to avoid in the long run (after both dogs are mature and the rules have been established that is). But where there's a will, there's usually a way, and I'm committed to at least educating and preparing myself for extreme circumstances, even if I chicken out and get a little girl for Oscar to love

And you're right, there are no guarantees.

~Natalya

I think you'll be fine. Really. There will be enough of an age difference that you may be ok w/2 males. Oscar will probably be at least 3, right? Caleb and Xander are 3 years apart, and so far, so good. Xander is the worst hellion I have ever met, and Caleb is quite tolerant of him. He will put him in his place, but does not see him as a rival (yet). Oscar will likely be fine w/a pup, and as long as YOU teach the pup what is ok and what is not, Oscar won't have to, and the pup will be less likely to make mistakes that cause fights. Only a very odd dog is not tolerant of a puppy up to a certain point (5-6mos???). This is long enough for Oscar to get used to the idea that he's not alone anymore, and hopefully, he'll be accepting. More of it is up to you than Oscar, though.

FYI-most of my reason for separation while alone is Caleb. I could leave the other 3 permanent residents alone. He's the one who is most likely to be in a bad mood and cause a problem. Most of it results from possessiveness of me. Actually, if I'm not close-by, he and Widget get along ok...but they'd never admit it . I just will not take any chances with a potential fight, and allowing more than 2 to run together is just too risky, IMO.

p.s. I was kinda forced into getting Mia, but on some days, it's awfully nice to have another girl around. You might be surprised by how much you'd like a female...it'd be a really different relationship.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

FYI-most of my reason for separation while alone is Caleb. I could leave the other 3 permanent residents alone. He's the one who is most likely to be in a bad mood and cause a problem. Most of it results from possessiveness of me. Actually, if I'm not close-by, he and Widget get along ok...but they'd never admit it . I just will not take any chances with a potential fight, and allowing more than 2 to run together is just too risky, IMO.

Another reason I'm nervous about 2 boys - Oscar is like this as well - VERY posessive of me and my things. He's actually attempted to defend a backpack of mine (that I wasn't even wearing) from another dog at a friends that we were visiting. I work hard at being in good control and leadership of him, but I guess he still considers me HIS. Hopefully, his reactions in these situations would be much different if the new dog were a part of his family, not an untrustworthy stranger.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

p.s. I was kinda forced into getting Mia, but on some days, it's awfully nice to have another girl around. You might be surprised by how much you'd like a female...it'd be a really different relationship.

Also something I've thought about. I don't mean to disrespect females AT ALL!! And I know some VERY nice ones, but for some reason I'm hooked on the boys. Perhaps the best thing to do is just pick my litter, visit the pups often and let the pup pick ME - those tend to be the best choices anyway, even when they fly in the face of what we THOUGHT we wanted...

~Natalya

You may want to consider a female if Oscar is that possessive of you. Maybe it would be easier on everyone to just let Oscar be your special boy, and a get a female pup that you can almost assure, with a little common sense, will get along great with Oscar. Widget is like that about me, but not with Mia. While Caleb can't look at him cross-eyed without being attacked, or God forbid come to me for attention, Mia can sit right on him and he thinks it's fine . He knows a good-looking bitch when he sees one.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

He knows a good-looking bitch when he sees one.

Ahhh, boys will be boys...

~Natalya

Thanks for your discussion ladies! I have very different "issues" with my dog than Natalya does, but I often mull over if i could get another dog and not have to have them separated at all times.

 Quote:

Only a very odd dog is not tolerant of a puppy up to a certain point (5-6mos???).

I have one of those very odd dogs. Since he matured he has never met a puppy he likes at all. I think it is an insecurity issue and an issue of "he can dish it out but can't take it"

Any dog interested in my dog that does not go through the impecable manners of some calm butt sniffing and maybe some pissing first gets met with snarls if left to his own devices. Puppies following him around or even beconing for play quite submissively, or a happy lab charging up to him are not given much leeway.

Of course when HE was a pup, he was just 'evil' (read crazy running jumping biting) playing with his older doggie friends, but he does not extend leeway to young rambunctious dogs now that he is an adult.

I have a picture that captures him as evil puppy dishin it out, but I am not at home and can't post it.

He gets along well with lots of dogs male, female, intact or not, can ignore other dogs on leashes all around him, but I am just not sure he could tollerate a high drive pup of either sex. He does have to think himself dominant to be comfortable I beleive. (OK you guys know I do not mean dominant over me of course )

I worry that he could get used to the pup,but only if it would learn to ignore him totally. I would not want the pup to have his 'spirit' broken (or have to be very submissive) with him to get along?

I am with you both on the "boys" too, although lately I have been thinking that a female would be nice as I am into smaller dogs but considering a bigger breed. No guarantee I will be getting one any time soon (I may be considering a carreer change in the next few years) but love the opportunity to learn from folks with a multi dog house. I think I will not get another dog until I can accept that they may have to be totally seperated. An idea I am slowly getting used to.

Thanks for sharing and letting me vent too

 Quote: jennifer coulter

 Quote:

Only a very odd dog is not tolerant of a puppy up to a certain point (5-6mos???).

I have one of those very odd dogs. Since he matured he has never met a puppy he likes at all. I think it is an insecurity issue and an issue of "he can dish it out but can't take it"

Well, our boys aren't THAT different then Oscar has never been fond of little puppies. Once they are big enough to wrestle and play with (maybe around 6 months) THEN they MIGHT be acceptable playmates, but I think you're right about the "can dish it but not take it" attitude. Could also be a macho young adult thing, for mine at least - still trying to impress on everyone younger than him that he's finally a BIG BOY.

Lately though he's had some really good play dates with a friend's 9 month Weim pup (female) and he lets her do ANYTHING - at the end, he's half laying down just trying to shield his face from her snaping jaws He even lets her jump in front of him when someone has treats (we don't usually pull the treats out when there are other dog's present - it causes problems, but this girl gets her way!) When I see him in this situation, that's when I feel pretty confindent in not having many issues with getting a female puppy - he'd just be in heaven, even through all the abuse! I also mentioned in my original post that he played really well recently with a young intact male lab... go figure!

I think you're doing very similar thinking as I, Jennifer. Only thing is, I really DON'T want to have dogs that can't live peacefully together on their own - it's not an issue of me finally feeling ready to come to terms with that, I just won't do it. SO, I'll keep mulling over things, watching my dog, and socializing him to different types of dogs to see if I can establish some patterns with him. All this conversation is a real help!

Out of curiosity - what line of work are you thinking of switching to?? Does it involve pointy eared dogs???

~Natalya

Hey Natalya, do you have plans to do anything specific with a new dog or are you just looking to have a second pet? The only reason I ask is kind of along Amber's point about Corgis. Besides the male female point I think certain breeds give you a better chance of getting along with Oscar.

Hi Steve, second dog will be primarily a pet , though conformation showing may be of interest, and I'm starting to get interested in things like tracking (RRs may not be the best candidates for amazing OB, but they do have great noses and high drive ). I don't currently have easy access to these types of training outlets, though we will be relocating this fall and who knows what possibilites may open up. I really like the idea of doing more with my dog(s) besides just lavishing them with outdoor exercise and a pretty sweet life. But as mainly pets, they will need to get along in the house together without constant separation, hence all the hemming and hawing...

Our plans are for another Ridgeback (we're hooked!). My desire to own another of these amazing dogs is really driving my "puppy itch" actually, I don't want just ANY second dog... considering the nature of this breed, puppy plans *could* be problematic if it were a male with Oscar's temperment (proud, powerful, stubborn and dominant), but would most likely be golden if it were a female.

*LOVELY new sig pic, BTW - where IS that??

~Natalya

If it was me, I'd get a female to show now and wait until Oscar is pretty old before getting another male. My reason is that when Oscar is a senior it's not that hard to keep them separated. It's easier to treat an old dog and a puppy different because they are without worrying as much about creating problems. Thats Morro Bay, Ca. It's on the coast south of San Simeon.